As an example, let’s look at a list of the top 10 stories on news.com.au not too long ago:

‘Packer sacked me for being annoying’

Hot future paints an ugly face for mankind

Toddler killed after wandering streets

Nintendo gives schoolgirl a DS after letter

MasterChef in danger of one-horse race

UK man first to swim under Mt Everest

Lohan ordered to wear booze bracelet

Da Vinci robot hides key to mechanical lion

High-score tables forever with this device

Brittany Murphy’s husband found dead

There is almost NOTHING positive in any of these articles (even those that aren’t just media beat-ups).

Let’s see – the first article will no doubt get people talking about how annoying people SHOULD be fired.

The second article will tell us how our planet is doomed.

The third article will reinforce the fear that the streets aren’t safe for your kids (while at the same time encouraging people to blame the parents). It will also, probably, encourage people to complain about how the world is becoming a more dangerous place.

Oh, and where would we be if we didn’t have some nice product promotion in the fourth article.

Who do they think they’re kidding?

It’s pretty obvious what all these headlines try to do (ie. manipulate emotions), and yet people continue to buy into it.

What does anyone gain from reading such crap every day?? How has your world improved?

And why do a lot of people feel the need to go a step further, and even listen to HOURLY news “updates”?!

H-O-U-R-L-Y!!

Honestly, what do you think will change in the next 60 minutes??!

Consuming this kind of crap daily makes you stupid.

It affects your emotions, and it negatively alters your perception of the world.

And if you don’t want to become just another 9-5 zombie, then it’s time to stop giving a shit about the news. Consuming it like a drug addict doesn’t actually make you educated or intelligent. It just makes you an addict.

The ultimate solution to any type of “information consumption” (including the news) is to only consume it if it brings you value (eg. it teaches you something, or it’s entertaining). Otherwise it’s a waste of your precious life.

Oh, by the way, this just in:

Circus acrobat ‘went on HIV sex spree’

We’ll have more right after this short commercial break …

Seriously, turn this shit off and go and make your world a better place instead. Please.